Apparatus and method for making spokes



Oct. 6, 1931. G. c. HAWK I 1,826,350

APPARATUS AND METHO -i611 MAKING SPOKES Filed June 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 *i GLEN/v CI Ak n/K,

a G. c. HAWK APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SPOKES Filed June 21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 &

Patented Oct. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GLENN G. HAWK, OF EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO,,.ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN STEEL AND WIRE COMPANY ,OF NEW JERSEY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY APPARATUS AND METHOD ronivmxme sroxns Application filed June 21,

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for making blanks for wire wheel spokes of that type wherein a steel or like metal wire or rod is formed with a headed end which is bent at an angle relatively to the shank of the spoke, the headed end of the spoke being countersunk in thehub and the opposite end held firmly in the rim of the wheel when in assembled position.

Heretofore, so far as known, blanks of this typehave involved two separate operations in their making, namely, the heading and cutting operation and the bending operation, the latter operation being performed separately.

If, therefore, the bending operation could be combined with either the cutting or heading operation, it would be obvious that much time and labor would be saved.

The present invention provides means whereby blanks of the type specified may be cut or severed from the stock and bent in one operation on the same machine, resulting in increased production and a saving of time and labor.

Briefly stated, the method consists in advancing the stock from which the blanks are formed to a position between pinching or gripping dies and heading the blank, and further advancing the stock between cutting secured thereon the oneextremity of a conand bending dies and simultaneously cutting the blank from the stock and bending the blank.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying the features ofthe invention; and

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged horizontal sectional plan views of the pinch dies and cutting and bending dies for the machine, showing said dies in open and closed positions.

The reference numeral 5 generally designates the base frame of the machine and 6 the main drive shaft, whichis mounted in suitable bearing brackets 7, the drive being taken from a motor or like primemover 8.

Drive shaft 6 is provided with drive pinions 9 which mesh with gears 10 secured on a crank shaft 12, a pitman 13 being mounted on the shaft 12, said pitman having its end swiveled or otherwise movably secured in the one'e-nd of a hammer stock 14 which termi- 1930. Serial No. 462,825.

nates in ahammer 15, the hammer stock in i turn being mounted for reciprocation in guide bearings 16. Y

a The one drive pinion 9 meshes with a speed gear 17 which in turn meshes with a gear 18 secured on a camshaft 19, the latter having adjustably secured thereon pinch die cam 20 and cutter and bending die cams 21. The cam 20-actuates a lever 22, pivoted or fulcrumed on pin 23 supported by bracket 24 the. one extremity of lever 22 havingan adjusting screw 25, threaded therethrough and swiveled into a contact pin 26, which contactswith and intermittently exerts pressure on a movablepinch die ,27 mounted to slide in a bracket 28, said movable die cooperating with a stationary die 27a adjustable through the medium of ,pin 29, the wire stock being gripped between said dies 27 and 27a.

The cams 21 actuate levers 30 which are swiveled or fulcrumed on pins 31 and are provided at one extremity with adjustable contact screws 32 which contact with and intermittently exert pressure on movable die holders, 33, note Figs. 2 and 3, which have removably secured therein cutting dies 34 and bending'dies 35. V

The one extremity of shaft 19 has secured thereonan eccentric 36 which has pivotally necting rod 37 the oppositeextremity of said rod being connected to a reciprocating wire feeding device generally indicated at 38 and mounted in aslide block 39.

The cutting and bendingdies 34 and 35 are clearly illustrated inFigs. 2 and 3 and their operation will be readily apparent from these figures. The pinch dies 27 and 27a are formed with a recess or cavity 40 to accommodate the headed extremity of the blank and thecu-tter dies are tapered as at 41 or spaced from the pinch diessufficiently to give the required clearance, or so that the wire will be severed beyond the pinch dies such' distance as will leave a stub to form the eration, and these bending dies may be readv ily substituted by others should a difi'erent size or radius of bend be required.

Blanks produced on the improved machine are uniform in each and every instance, and as the cutting and bending operations are performed on the same machine without involving a separate operation to give the blank the required bend, production is greatly increased. Furthermore, the bending of the blank on the improved machine cannot possibly throw the shank of the blank out of alinenient, as the blank is held rigidly in the bending die during the cutting and bending operations.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of the machine will be apparent. The wire stock is fed to the machine through straightening rolls 42, the wire feed device 38 advancing the wire intermittently approximately the length of the spoke to be produced. The

pinch cam 20 actuates lever 22 and causes movable pinch die 27 to close in toward stationary pinch die 27a and grip the Wire therebetween. The hammer 15 is then carried forward and performs the heading operation, after which it is retracted and the wire advanced the length of the spoke. Cams 21 then actuate levers 30 and the cutting dies '34 and bending dies 35 close in on the wire and perform the cutting and bending operations.

What is claimed as new is 1. In a machine for producing steel spoke blanks in combination, a set of pinch dies, a set of cutting and bending dies, a hammer, means for intermittently advancing the stock from which the blanks are formed to a position between said pinch dies, a pitman for reciprocating said hammer to form a head on the blank, and cam means for actuating said cutting and bending dies to simultaneously sever and bend the blank.

2. The method of forming steel spoke blanks, which consists in advancing the stock from which the blanks are formed to a position between gripping dies and heading the blank, and further advancing the stock to a position between cutting and bending dies I and simultaneously severing and bending the blank.

3. The method of forming steel spoke blanks from wire or rod stock, which consists in first heading the blank and then simultaneously severing and bending the blank.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

GLENN C. HAWK. 

